Other books that might interest you

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  A Portrait of the Artist

  Stephen Dedalus

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  A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man tells the story of Stephen Dedalus, a boy growing up in Ireland at the end of the nineteenth century, as he gradually decides to cast off all his social, familial, and religious constraints to live a life devoted to the art of writing. As a young boy, Stephen's Catholic faith and Irish nationality heavily influence him. He attends a strict religious boarding school called Clongowes Wood College. At first, Stephen is lonely and homesick at school, but as time passes he finds his place among the other boys. He enjoys his visits home, even though family tensions run high after the death of the Irish political leader Charles Stewart Parnell. This sensitive subject becomes the topic of a furious, politically charged argument over the family's Christmas dinner. This is James Joyce's first novel, the semi-autobiographical story of a young Irish boy who struggles with family, country, and religion to become an artist and a man.Stephen Dedalus is James Joyce's literary alter ego, appearing as the protagonist and antihero of his first, semi-autobiographic novel of artistic existence A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and an important character in Joyce's 1922 novel Ulysses.

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  Inspiration An - From their pens...

  George Gissing

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  George Robert Gissing was born on November 22nd, 1857 in Wakefield, Yorkshire.  
  He was educated at Back Lane School in Wakefield. Gissing loved school. He was enthusiastic with a thirst for learning and always diligent.  By the age of ten he was reading Dickens, a lifelong hero. 
  In 1872 Gissing won a scholarship to Owens College. Whilst there Gissing worked hard but remained solitary. Unfortunately, he had run short of funds and stole from his fellow students. He was arrested, prosecuted, found guilty, expelled and sentenced to a month's hard labour in 1876. 
  On release he decided to start over.  In September 1876 he travelled to the United States. Here he wrote short stories for the Chicago Tribune and other newspapers. On his return home he was ready for novels. 
  Gissing self-published his first novel but it failed to sell.  His second was acquired but never published. His writing career was static.  Something had to change.  And it did. 
  By 1884 The Unclassed was published.  Now everything he wrote was published. Both Isabel Claren-don and Demos appeared in 1886. He mined the lives of the working class as diligently as any capitalist. 
  In 1889 Gissing used the proceeds from the sale of The Nether World to go to Italy. This trip formed the basis for his 1890 work The Emancipated. 
  Gissing's works began to command higher payments. New Grub Street (1891) brought a fee of £250.  
  Short stories followed and in 1895, three novellas were published; Eve's Ransom, The Paying Guest and Sleeping Fires. Gissing was careful to keep up with the changing attitudes of his audience.  
  Unfortunately, he was also diagnosed as suffering from emphysema. The last years of his life were spent as a semi-invalid in France but he continued to write. 1899; The Crown of Life. Our Friend the Charlatan appeared in 1901, followed two years later by The Private Papers of Henry Ryecroft. 
  George Robert Gissing died aged 46 on December 28th, 1903 after catching a chill on a winter walk.

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  What Christmas is as We Grow...

  Charles Dickens

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  Charles Dickens is just great, this is just a short little note about how we change as we get older and how Christmas becomes more for others and less about ourselves as we get older.

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  Anton Chekhov - Six of the Best...

  Anton Chekhov

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  Six has always been a number we group things around – Six of the best, six of one half a dozen of another, six feet under, six pack, six degrees of separation and a sixth sense are but a few of the ways we use this number. 
   
  Such is its popularity that we thought it is also a very good way of challenging and investigating an author’s work to give width, brevity, humour and depth across six of their very best. 
   
  In this series we gather together authors whose short stories both rivet the attention and inspire the imagination to visit their gems in a series of six, to roam across an author’s legacy in a few short hours and gain a greater understanding of their writing and, of course, to be lavishly entertained by their ideas, their narrative and their way with words. 
   
  These stories can be surprising and sometimes at a tangent to what we expected, but each is fully formed and a marvellous adventure into the world and words of a literary master. 
   
   1 - Six of the Best - Anton Chekov - An Introduction 
  2 - Anton Chekhov - An Introduction 
  3 - The Lady with the Dog by Anton Chekhov 
  4 - The Kiss by Anton Chekhov 
  5 - Gooseberries by Anton Chekhov 
  6 - Misery by Anton Chekhov 
  7 - The Student by Anton Chekhov 
  8 - Volodya by Anton Chekhov

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  Chanakya Neeti

  B K Chaturvedi

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  One of the greatest figures of wisdom and knowledge in the Indian history is Chanakya. Chanakya is regarded as a great thinker and diplomat in India who is traditionally identified as Kautilya or Vishnu Gupta. Originally a professor of economics and political science at the ancient Takshashila University, Chanakya managed the first Maurya Emperor Chandragupta's rise to power at a young age. Instead of acquiring the seat of kingdom for himself, he crowned Chandragupta Maurya as the emperor and served as his chief advisor. Chanakya Neeti is a treatise on the ideal way of life, and shows Chanakya's deep study of the Indian way of life.

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  Othello | Simple Shakespeare...

  Jeanette Vigon

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  In a world where Shakespeare's intricate tales are often perceived as inaccessible, Jeanette Vigon offers a refreshing gateway into the classic story of "Othello" with her rendition in the Simple Shakespeare series. This modern retelling not only breathes new life into the tragic story of love, jealousy, and betrayal but also makes it effortlessly comprehensible for today's readers. Vigon’s adaptation retains the essence and emotional depth of the original, while presenting it in a language that speaks directly to the contemporary audience. 
  Perfect for both new enthusiasts and seasoned Shakespeare lovers seeking a different perspective, this version of "Othello" unfolds the complex dynamics between the characters in a setting that resonates with the modern-day context. Through her adept storytelling, Vigon navigates the themes of trust, deception, and the tragic consequences of misinterpretations, making the tale as relevant today as it was in Shakespeare’s time. 
  This book is an essential addition to the collection of anyone looking to dive into the rich narrative of one of Shakespeare’s most compelling tragedies, without the barriers of archaic language. Whether you're a student grappling with Shakespeare for the first time or a teacher looking for accessible literature for your class, Jeanette Vigon’s "Othello" promises a compelling and thought-provoking read that bridges the gap between past and present. 
  Experience "Othello" anew in this captivating retelling, where ancient Venice's cobblestone streets meet the relatable dialogue of today. Discover the timeless story of Othello, Desdemona, and Iago, brought vividly to life through Vigon’s masterful storytelling. Immerse yourself in a tale where each sentence is a step closer to unravelling the fate of characters who’ve never felt more real.

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